Recommendations for a sewing machine

[EnchantedTales]

Aside from putting buttons and maybe fixing the hem on a dress, I don't know much about sewing but would love to learn. This year I have decided to buy a sewing machine and take some classes. What would be your recommendations?

I have an old Kenmore 17860 but I want to sell it, because I can't get to work. I'm sure that someone with more experience perhaps can put to work but I personally find it too complicated. Anyway, I went to Joann and the lady told me that they could probably give me a credit for the machine. Also if I buy the machine there, the classes would be included with the purchase. Anyone had experience with that? Please consider that I have no knowledge of sewing and I need some classes otherwise the purchase it's pointless. If not there where would you recommend that I buy it and take classes? I live in the Orlando area.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[joyah]

I love my Bernina but then I sew alot and the price of a new one would scare you probably. I have my MIL's old one. Before that I'd always had singers but their quality had dropped for a while. I would say that where ever you buy from make sure they offer classes on the machine and then some to get you started with projects.
Good luck with your decision

 

[WendyBirdGirl]

I was in the same boat as you about six months ago, and I decided on the Brother CS6000i for about $160 from Walmart.com (although it's a really common machine and available all over the place). I made the decision based off the fact that it had 4.5/5.0 stars on Amazon from about 400 reviews.

I don't have any experience with JoAnn credits or classes, but it's possible that they carry the Brother CS6000i as well! I find that it's a very dependable, economical beginner's machine. And economical was really important to me as I wasn't sure if I would stick with the hobby after I bought all of the supplies, LOL!

The full review/backstory is on my blog (linked in my signature) if you want to read more about how I decided on the machine.

 

[shannon3021]

I purchased a Brothers embroidery and sewing maching at walmart about 4 years ago. It is the Mickey edition, so it came with the characters programed in it. I do not use the embroidery part of it a whole lot (last time was when we went to WDW in 2007 and I made us all t-shirts). I sew often (jammy pants mostly, some dresses for me here and there) and I love it. I frequent JoAnn's and their classes look great. I also purchased the "Sewing for Dummies" book. It does help me when I am stuck, and it does help. I think that if you are just starting, you wouldn't need anything fancy.

Good luck on your endeavors!!

-Shannon

 

[tinkerbell3747]

I am in the same boat as well...except I can only put in buttons LOL no hemming yet. I suddenly have this very strong urge to learn to sew. So I to am looking for a machine. Just thought you would like to know there are others in the same boat! Good luck.

 

[Ericandjenng]

If you are unsure about purchasing because of the classes, check and see if a local community college offers any sewing classes--usually it's a part of their non-credit program. Also if you (or close family member) are active in a church, there might be a person there who has the experience to teach and will do it for free.

As for the machine, I originally learned as a child on a Singer Futura. When I was in school, we still had home ec in middle school and some vocational options in high school that involved sewing. I don't remember what machines those were--White maybe. I even sold sewing machines (Singers) for awhile when Sew-Fro Fabrics still existed.

All of my personal machines have been Brother. The first was a Christmas gift from my DM. It was an el-cheapo from Wal-mart but I tried to wear that thing out. I replaced it with an electonic Brother from Walmart based on price for that kind of machine. It just started giving me issues right before Christmas. I didn't have time to have it looked at and not sure I am going to since it will cost more than half the price of a new one to do so. Because I had a project that HAD to be completed, I bought the el-cheapo version again. It's amazing how spoiled I had become with an electronic one versus going back to a mechanical version. At this time I am debating whether to go ahead and buy basically the updated version of my electronic one or get one capable of embroidery. My fellow Big Givers have been inspiring me to try something new.

 

[MHSweb79]

I have a very old Kenmore sewing machine- it's from the 1960's and was top-of-the-line back then when my father's aunt bought it. It's the kind that swings up from underneath a table.

Anyway, a few years ago it was giving me trouble so I was looking for a new machine. I couldn't find anything nearly as good so I took the old one to a sewing-machine/ vacuum cleaner repair shop. For $75 the guy cleaned it up, oiled it, etc. and had it working like new. He said the old Kenmore's are fabulous machines and will last forever if cared for properly.

Just wanted to pass that along as a cheaper option if you want to try to get your old machine working again.

 

[Sewfun]

I don't know if you have found a machine yet, but sewing is something I am very passionate about, especially sewing for our Disney trips. Sewing machines are like any other tool out there, you get what you pay for. There are some good inexpensive machines out there and some really bad ones. If you can try some out before buying, like taking a test drive, that is always a good thing. The dealers inside Joann's are Viking, and I sew exclusively on Viking machines. I can highly recommend them. I started out with a $69 Singer machine from the PX in Italy, and then sewed on a New Home/Janome for a few years before getting my first Viking. Janome are good machines, as are Pfaff and Bernina, although I have no personal experience with the last two other than selling Pfaff. I started sewing in 1985, and have taught for several dealers. I hope you have found a machine that works well for you, because alot of people never get into sewing because of a bad experience with a machine.

I am actually starting to sew tonight for a WDW trip in October. I am making camouflage capris for my 8 yo DD, with a matching -Tshirt with a Mickey head applique in the camo fabric...to make it her own "hidden" Mickey (with the camo fabric...LOL!). I think it will turn out cute. I just have to digitize the stitching to do the applique now.

Good luck in your search. If you have any questions I am always happy to help!

Tammy